Hammer with detachable striking tips

ABSTRACT

A hammer with specially designed removable striking tips so that a variety of striking surfaces, such as nylon, steel, brass, aluminum or the like, can be provided, each of the striking tips including an annular non-metallic belt disposed around a metallic insert adjacent the end of the tip which is threaded onto the hammer head. The nylon belt is pushed outwardly by an upstanding annular flange formed on the hammer head and is compressed between the striking tip and the hammer head as the end of the metallic insert is tightened down onto the flange, securing the striking tip onto the hammer head.

United States Patent [191 Hayes et al.

[ 1March 20, 1973 HAMMER WITH DETACHABLE STRIKING TIPS [22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 66,763

[52] US. Cl ..l45/29 A, l45 /36, 287/5208 [51] Int. Cl. ..B25d 1/02 [58] Field of Search 145/24 R, 24 A, 24 C; 306/28,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,130,762 4/1964 Kerr 145/36 X 2,989,101 6/1961 Carmien ..145/36 3,088,506 5/1963 Bianchini ..145/36 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Hauke, Gifford & Patalidis 57 ABSTRACT A hammer with specially designed removable striking tips so that a variety of striking surfaces, such as nylon, steel, brass, aluminum or the like, can be provided, each of the striking tips including an annular non-metallic belt disposed around a metallic insert adjacent the end of the tip which is threaded onto the hammer head. The nylon belt is pushed outwardly by an upstanding annular flange formed on the hammer head and is compressed between the striking tip and the hammer head as the end of the metallic insert is tightened down onto the flange, securing the striking tip onto the hammer head.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEIHEDHARZOISB SHEET 1 OF 2 S m a I A NH E. v w N N 0 M Y A R RAYMOND 'J. HAYES BY M {W 1 flag ATTORNEYS PATH-HEUHARZOISTS 721,2 2

SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG.5

FIGB

I HAMMER WITH DETACI-IABL E STRIKING TIPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The invention relates broadly to hammers having removable striking tips and more particularly to the manner of securing the removable tips onto the hammer head.

II. Description of the Prior Art Removable striking tips for hammers are well known in the art. Heretofore, the detachable tips have been threaded onto threaded studs extending from oppositeends of the hammer head. A resilient washer, usually made from rubber, is disposed around each of the studs and is compressed between the striking tip and the hammer head as the striking tip is threaded onto the studs to act in the manner of lock washers to aid in securing the tip thereon. The resilient washers have proved to be inadequate for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hammer of the present invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing removable tips that are triply locked onto the hammer head, insuring that the tips do not become loose during use of the hammer. The striking tips of the present invention may be formed with striking surfaces selected from a variety of materials, such as nylon, steel, aluminum, brass or the like, whereby the tips may be interchanged and the hammer used in a variety of operations.

The hammer includes a head having opposed faces and a threaded bore extending inwardly along the axis of elongation of the hammer head from each of the opposed faces. Each of the opposed faces includes an upstanding annular flange formed around the outer end of the bores. Each of the detachable striking tips includes a striking face and a threaded bore extending inwardly from the opposite side thereof. A metallic, flat, radially extending surface surrounds the opening of the threaded bore. An annular nylon belt surrounds the metallic surface and extends outwardly therefrom. A stud is threaded into each of the bores formed in the hammer head and has one end extending outwardly therefrom for receiving the striking tip. As each of the striking tips is threaded onto the outer end of one of the studs, the inner edge of the nylon belt engages the outer edge of the upstanding flange, forcing the nylon to expand outwardly therefrom. As the striking tip is threaded further onto the stud, the outer radial surface of the nylon belt engages the surface of the end of the hammer and is compressed thereby. Further threading of the 'tip engages the flat metallic surface with the surface of the upstanding flange. Thus, the striking tip is triply locked on the hammer head, insuring that the tip does not loosen during use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be apparent upon reference to the following description. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top planar view of a hammer of the present invention having detachable striking tips;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3- 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the striking tips of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded fragmentary view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded fragmentary view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 indicates a hammer of the present invention having a metallic handle 12 which has one end secured to the hammer head 14. The handle 12 preferably includes a hand grip 16 formed of plastic, rubber or the like, and slid over the free end of the handle 12. As can best be seen in FIG. 3 the hammer head 14, which is secured on the handle 12 with its axis of elongation perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the handle 12, has a transversely extending bore 18 formed therein approximately at its midsection. The diameter of the bore 18 is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the handle 12. for receiving one end thereof. The handle 12 is formed with a knurled portion 20 adjacent the end to be inserted into the bore 18 and of larger diameter than the rest of the handle 12 and of the bore 18, such that as the end of the handle 12 is inserted into the bore 18, the knurled portion 20 intersects the inner surface of the bore 18 forming a press fit therewith and broaching grooves therein, preventing the handle 20 from rotating in the bore 18.

Still referring to FIG. 3 hammer head 14 is preferably cylindrically shaped and terminates in the opposed faces 22 and 24. The head includes a pair of ornamental annular grooves 26 and 28 disposed adjacent the opposed faces 22 and 24, respectively. The opposed faces 22 and 24 are preferably similarly formed and a centrally located threaded bore 30 extends inwardly from the faces 22 and 24 along the axis of elongation of the hammer head 14 and intersecting the bore 18. Each of the faces 22 and 24 is preferably formed with a flat, radially extending surface 32 formed around an upstanding annular flange 34 that surrounds the bore 30. Each of the flanges 34 is formed with a flat, radially extending surface 36 and has an outer diameter designated by the letter A (FIG. 5). The surface 36 is displaced longitudinally above the surface 32 by a distance designated by the letter B (FIG. 5). The outer annular edges of the flanges 34 are preferably rounded as at 38 for reasons to be described.

The bores 30 receive threaded studs 40, which are chamfered at both ends as at 42. Once the handle 12' has been inserted into the bore 18, a drill is inserted through the bores 30 and small indents 44 and 46 are formed in the end of the handle 12 at the end of the bores 30. When the studs 40 are threaded into the bores 30, the inner end of the studs are tightened into the indents 44 and 46, aiding in retaining the studs in the threaded bores and the handle 12 in the bore 18. Furthermore, the studs 40 prevent the handle 12 from rotating in the bore 18. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the studs 40 extend beyond the outer surfaces 36 for reasons to be described.

Still referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a removable striking tip 48 of the present invention is illustrated and includes a metallic insert 50, preferably formed from steel, and having a plurality of grooves 52 formed therearound. A threaded bore 54 extends inwardly from one end along the axis of elongation of the insert. A non-metallic material 56, preferably of nylon, is molded around the insert 50 and forms a striking surface 58 adjacent the closed end of the bore 54. The insert 50 includes a radially extending flat surface 60 formed around the outer edge of the opening of the bore 54 for reasons to be described. The material 56 extends longitudinally beyond the surface 60 to form an annular flange 62. The flange 62 includes a radially extending flat surface 64 which extends around the outer edge of the flat surface 60. As can best be seen in FIG. 5 the inner annular edge of the flange 62 is rounded as at 66 for reasons to be described. The inner diameter of the flange 62, designated by the letter C (FIG. 5), is smaller than the outer diameter A of the flange 34, preferably in the particular embodiment shown by an amount of approximately 12 thousandths of an inch. The surface 64 is disposed a distance, designated by the letter D, (FIG. 5), away from the surface 60. The distance D is greater than the distance B, (FIG. 5), preferably in the particular embodiment shown by approximately thousandths of an inch.

To assemble the hammer 10, the knurled end of the handle 12 is inserted into the bore 18 and the indents 44 and 46 are drilled in the inner end of the handle. The studs 40 are then threaded into the threaded bores 30 and their inner ends tightened into the indents 44 and 46, securing the handle 12 in the bore 18, preventing the handle from rotating with respect to the hammer head 14 and from being pulled out of the bore 18. The striking tips 48 are then threaded onto the outer ends of the studs 40. As the striking tips 48 are threaded onto the studs 40, an inner rounded edge 66 of the flange 62 engages the rounded edge 38 of the flange 34. Since the flange 34 has a greater outer diameter A than the inner diameter C of the flange 62, as the flange 34 is forced into the opening formed by the flange 62, the flange 62 is forced to expand outwardly. As the striking tips are threaded further onto the studs 40, the surface 64 of the flange 62 engages the surface 32 before the surface 60 of the insert 50 engages the surface 36 of the flange 34, since the distance D is greater than the distance B. Further threading of the striking tip compresses the flange 62 against the surface 36 of the hammer head 14. Finally, the surface 60 of the insert 50 engages the surface 36 of the flange 34 and is tightened thereagainst. Thus, the flange 62 is forced outwardly by the flange 34 and is compressed against the surface 34, with the surface 60 tightened against the surface 34, forming a triple lock which insures that the striking tip will not loosen during use of the hammer.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as comprising a removable striking tip 68 which includes a metallic member 70, which may be formed from steel, brass, aluminum or the like. The member 70 forms a metallic striking surface 72 and includes a tubular extension 74 extending outwardly from the side opposite the surface 72. The extension 74 has a threaded bore 76 formed therein and a radially extending flange 78 formed on its outer end. The flange 78 forms a flat radially extending surface 80 around the opening to the bore 76.

A non-metallic toroid 82, preferably formed from nylon, is molded around the extension 74 and the flange 78 and extends longitudinally beyond the surface 80 to form an annular flange 84. The flange 84 forms a radially extending flat surface 86 which extends around the outer edge of the flat surface 80. The inner annular edge of the flange 84 is rounded as at 88 for reasons previously described with respect to the striking tips 48. As previously described with respect to the tips 48, the diameter C (FIG. 6) of the flange 84 is smaller than the outer diameter A (FIG. 6) of the flange 34, preferably by an amount of approximately 12 thousandths of an inch. The surface 86 is disposed a distance D (FIG. 6) from the surface 80. As previously described, the distance D is greater than the distance B, (FIG. 6) preferably by approximately 10 thousandths of an inch. Thus, as the tip is threaded onto the stud 40, the flange 34, having a greater diameter forces the flange 84 to expand outwardly. As the tip 70 is threaded further onto the stud 40 because of distance D being greater than distance B which is the height of flange 34, the surface 86 engages the surface 32 before the surface engages the surface 34. Further threading of the tip compresses the flange 84 against the surface 36 of the hammer head 14. Finally the surface 80 of the flange 78 engages the surface 36 and is tightened thereagainst. Thus, a triple lock is formed, securing the tip 70 on the head 14.

Thus, a hammer having detachable striking tips is disclosed wherein the removable tips are triply locked onto the hammer head, insuring that the tips do not become loose during use of the hammer. Furthermore, the striking tips can be formed with striking surfaces selected from a variety of materials, allowing the hammer to be used in a variety of applications.

Although we have described but two preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes and revisions can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A hand tool comprising, a handle; a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; an annular flange formed on said tip around the opening of said bore; means for expanding said flange radially outwardly and longitudinally compressing said flange as said tip is threaded onto said stud; said head having a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips and a pair of opposed indents formed in the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for receiving the inner ends of said pair of studs.

2. A tool as defined in claim I, wherein said flange is formed from a resilient material.

3. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange is formed from nylon.

4. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said means includes an upstanding annular flange formed on each end of said head about said stud.

5. A tool as defined in claim 4, wherein prior to tightening said striking tip onto said stud, the outer diameter of each of said flanges formed on said head is greater than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.

6. A tool as defined in claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of each of said flanges on said head is approximately twelve thousandths greater than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.

7. A tool as defined in claim 4, wherein prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, said flange formed on each tip extends outwardly from the opening of said bore along the axis of said bore a greater distance than said flange on each end of said head extends outwardly along the axis of said stud.

8. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said tip includes an annular radially extending metallic surface formed around the opening of said bore and said annular flange is disposed adjacent the outer edge of said surface.

9. A tool as defined in claim 8, including an upstanding annular flange formed on each end of said head about said stud for being received within the flanges formed on said tips, the outer diameter of each upstanding flange being greater, prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.

10. A toolas defined in claim 9, wherein said flange formed on each tip, prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, extends outwardly from the opening of said bore along the axis of said bore a greater distance than said flange on each end of said head extends outwardly along the axis of said stud such that said flange on said tip is compressed when said tip is threaded onto said stud with said metallic surface tightened against the outer surface of said flange on said head.

1 l. A hand tool comprising: a handle, a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; and annular flange formed on said head around each of said studs, a recess formed in said striking tip in a position to receive said flange as said striking tip is threaded onto said stud, a portion of said striking tip forming said recess being of a compressible material, the surface defining the bottom of said recess being formed of a hard substance, a flat surface of said striking tip surrounding said recess and a corresponding flat surface formed on said head in a position to be engaged by said striking tip flat surface upon tightening said striking tip onto said stud, said recess prior to tightening said striking tip onto said stud having a dimension transverse to the axis of said stud less than the corresponding dimension of said flange and a dimension parallel to the axis of said stud which is appreciably greater than the corresponding dimension of said flange whereby tightening said striking tip unto said stud first produces an enlargement of said recess to accommodate said flange and subsequent tightening brings said flat surfaces into engagement and longitudinally compresses said compressible material and finally the flange en ages the bottom of said recess 12. A tool as de med in claim 11, wherein sa1d head includes a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips.

13. A hand tool comprising, a handle; a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; said head having a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips and a pair of opposed indents formed in the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for receiving the inner ends of said pair of studs.

14. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein a knurled portion is formed on the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for forming a press fit therewith. 

1. A hand tool comprising, a handle; a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; an annular flange formed on said tip around the opening of said bore; means for expanding said flange radially outwardly and longitudinally compressing said flange as said tip is threaded onto said stud; said head having a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips and a pair of opposed indents formed in the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for receiving the inner ends of said pair of studs.
 2. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange is formed from a resilient material.
 3. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange is formed from nylon.
 4. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said means includes an upstanding annular flange formed on each end of said head about said stud.
 5. A tool as defined in claim 4, wherein prior to tightening said striking tip onto said stud, the outer diameter of each of said flanges formed on said head is greater than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.
 6. A tool as defined in claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of each of said flanges on said head is approximately twelve thousandths greater than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.
 7. A tool as defined in claim 4, wherein prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, said flange formed on each tip extends outwardly from the opening of said bore along the axis of said bore a greater distance than said flange on each end of said head extends outwardly along the axis of said stud.
 8. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said tip includes an annular radially extending metallic surface formed around the opening of said bore and said annular flange is disposed adjacent the outer edge of said surface.
 9. A tool as defined in claim 8, including an upstanding annular flange formed on each end of said head about said stud for being received within the flanges formed on said tips, the outer diameter of each upstanding flange being greater, prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, than the inner diameter of the flange formed on each of said tips.
 10. A tool as defined in claim 9, wherein said flange formed on each tip, prior to tightening said tip onto said stud, extends outwardly from the openiNg of said bore along the axis of said bore a greater distance than said flange on each end of said head extends outwardly along the axis of said stud such that said flange on said tip is compressed when said tip is threaded onto said stud with said metallic surface tightened against the outer surface of said flange on said head.
 11. A hand tool comprising: a handle, a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; and annular flange formed on said head around each of said studs, a recess formed in said striking tip in a position to receive said flange as said striking tip is threaded onto said stud, a portion of said striking tip forming said recess being of a compressible material, the surface defining the bottom of said recess being formed of a hard substance, a flat surface of said striking tip surrounding said recess and a corresponding flat surface formed on said head in a position to be engaged by said striking tip flat surface upon tightening said striking tip onto said stud, said recess prior to tightening said striking tip onto said stud having a dimension transverse to the axis of said stud less than the corresponding dimension of said flange and a dimension parallel to the axis of said stud which is appreciably greater than the corresponding dimension of said flange whereby tightening said striking tip unto said stud first produces an enlargement of said recess to accommodate said flange and subsequent tightening brings said flat surfaces into engagement and longitudinally compresses said compressible material and finally the flange engages the bottom of said recess
 12. A tool as defined in claim 11, wherein said head includes a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips.
 13. A hand tool comprising, a handle; a head secured to said handle and extending transversely thereto; a threaded stud extending from each end of said head; a striking tip having a threaded bore formed therein threaded onto each stud; said head having a first bore formed therein transverse to the axis of elongation of said head for receiving one end of said handle therein, second and third threaded bores formed in said head along the axis of elongation of said head and extending from opposite ends of said head to said first bore, said threaded studs threaded into said second and third bores and extending from said first bore beyond opposed ends of said head for receiving said striking tips and a pair of opposed indents formed in the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for receiving the inner ends of said pair of studs.
 14. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein a knurled portion is formed on the end of said handle disposed in said first bore for forming a press fit therewith. 